58 FORAGE CROPS 
least, in the tissues and be ready for elaboration in 
early spring. A suitable application may be made 
of 300 pounds per acre of a fertilizer containing 
Nitrogen... 1 2 wee we ee we ee 3 per cent 
Phosphorie acid (available). ...... 8 per cent 
Potasht« js: 6 4) G & ae OO a eee 5 per cent 
If wheat is sown primarily for forage the quantity 
of seed should be larger than when grain is the 
purpose, or at the rate of two to two and one-half 
bushels per acre. This is heavy seeding, but there 
should be no bare spots, and the plants should be 
so thick as to make the proportion of leaf large 
and the stems very small, and permit of a longer 
use as forage. 
Value and yield of wheat 
The wheat crop is at its best when just in full 
head, although its use should begin just as it is 
heading out. Wheat is superior to rye, as it can 
be fed for a longer period, and is usually more 
palatable. Wheat is also superior to rye because it 
contains more dry matter when in a condition suit- 
able for soiling; therefore, a smaller amount will 
supply a larger quantity of actual nutrients. When 
just heading out, analysis shows it to contain on 
the average 23 per cent of dry matter, and in pro- 
portions of constituents such as to make the 
product a fairly well-balanced ration. In its more 
nearly matured state it contains a larger proportion 
